By Gus Saltonstall
There are few subjects the West Side Rag receives more emails about than the supposed incoming Wegmans on Broadway, between West 64th and 65th streets.
It has now been nearly 20 months since signage for the grocery store went up on the front of the building at 1932 Broadway. However, since that day in June of 2024, there have been no obvious signs of life for the business.
“What is happening with the new Wegmans that took over the Bed Bath & Beyond space on Broadway, between West 64th and 65th?” a reader wrote in an email to the Rag on Thursday morning. “It’s been almost two years and though there is signage, there is no opening. Did they change their mind?”
WSR reached out to Wegmans on Thursday to see if we could get an update or more information about the possible opening timeline for the Upper West Side location.
“Prior to opening our Astor Place store, we were working with Glenwood [owner of the property] to lease the space at 1932 Broadway. When that didn’t pan out, we had the opportunity to sign the lease for Astor Place,” where Wegmans opened its first Manhattan store in 2023, a Wegmans spokesperson wrote. “Shortly after we committed to Astor Place, the 1932 Broadway space became available, however the timing wasn’t right, as we were focused on getting our Astor location designed, permitted, and open to the public.”
The statement sent Thursday noted that although Wegmans signed a long-term lease in February 2024 for the space at 1932 Broadway, “we continue to remain focused on our Astor Place store.” (The language about staying focused on Astor Place was identical to what Wegmans told a Rag correspondent back in August 2024.)
The Wegmans spokesperson did not immediately respond to the Rag’s follow-up questions about whether the grocer still planned to open the Upper West Side outpost and whether there was some revised timeline that could be shared.
While it was unclear at the beginning of 2024 when the lease was signed whether the Broadway address would become a Wegmans, when the signage for the grocer went up later that summer it seemed imminent.
But, the storefront remains dormant, and as the Wegman’s spokesperson stated to the Rag on Thursday, “We continue to remain focused on our Astor Place store.”
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Could you also provide an update on the possibility of West Side Market opening in the current Staples space on Bway/81st, since the owners of WSM purchased the lease for that space?
Staples has closed — or is closing — on Broadway and 81st?! I walk by almost every day, yet I haven’t noticed a sign or a closure.
Something else will be opening in the former Staples store. Not a supermarket.
Do you have any actual knowledge, or are you just assuming?
The Staples store is not “former” yet, and I hope it remains. It is very convenient to many residents of the area.
Not holding my breath on this one.
I live near the original WSM location (tho not in its original building any more, at 110th & B’way), and I overheard someone saying the funniest thing about shopping there once.
“Yeah, my father has limited mobility so it’s hard for him to get out of neighborhood. What he says about shopping here is ‘oh, this is where I go to buy $80 worth of groceries for $100.'”
Thank you for this. I am actually aware that WSM has arguably the highest prices of any grocery store on the UWS (that “honor” used to belong to Food Emporium, which has thankfully disappeared). And even though Ripoff Farm (I mean Broadway Farm) has closed, we can ill afford to lose or belittle the stores we DO have. In this regard, it is nice to see the new Key Food at 88/Bway (more expensive, but larger and better stocked than its sister on Amst/86th, which I hope is NOT going to close) and the new Morton Williams on Bway/70th.
Still, the best (slightly higher prices, but most consistently best-stocked and best-managed) supermarket in our area is Pioneer on Col/74. Sadly, I can’t get over there as easily or as often as I used to.
In the most expensive category, I’d vote for the Gristedes at 84th & Columbus. I regularly compare its prices with Fresh Direct’s (a masochistic form of spectator sport) and Gristedes consistently comes in higher for many categories).
Check out the prices at D’Agostino on Columbus & 91st.
Seconded! The space between Fairways and Broadway Farms (RIP) has nothing for regular groceries.
Yes, we really need a Wegmans, Aldi, or another supermarket to consider the area between Fairway and 86th Street. Since Westside Market closed, the nearest grocery options are much farther away
This whole situation is very odd. Thank you for your efforts to find out more information. I periodically go to the Astor Place Wegman’s and it is great – this one would be a nice addition to the neighborhood.
I am confused are they paying for space they are not using, since they signed a lease?
Not necessarily, and probably not. The date that the rent obligation commences is probably subject to a condition that hasn’t been met yet — perhaps something the landlord has to do, perhaps something that the tenant has to do that it is not obligated to have done yet. Very common.
Yes
I hear the gentrifiers love Wegmans!
What do gentrifiers think of Aldi? Thanks in advance… (Asking for a friend)
What about the urbanists?
yawn. what exactly is wrong with neighborhoods rebounding from poverty?
Nothing at all. But they kinda put a stop to that by closing Western Beef.
Do you really not get it? If not, that’s the problem!
Er — those of us with some “poverty” then can’t afford anything. Duhhhhh!
The downwardly mobile are jealous because they aren’t smart enough to make their lives better. They want to drag everyone down to their poor level.
define “smart”.
Smart often means going along with conventional wisdom, which is often proven wrong and costly — but hey, if you made pile while that thinking was “smart”, you’re “smart”.
Well, as long as you have yours, then everything is right with the world….or in your vacuum.
You guys are just so dreadfully boring, plus you never season your food, what’s up with that?
Bring on the gentrifiers … and the Wegmans!
I think you’re decades too late with the concept of gentrification for this neighborhood.
There are still plenty of people who feel like they are being pushed out in this neighborhood!
And our big tech overlords building the panopticon. Used to like Wegmans, but will never step foot in one again
Why not? Just curious.
Some Wegmans store were caught using (actually I think it was posted in the store) that they are using facial identification cameras. That’s a giant step into invasion of privacy. I believe the data they collected was going to be analyzed by Palantir – I could be wrong about that part. But it was definitely that they were keeping our faces, names, etc on file. For what reason? I have no idea.
So does Fairway, and now the Wakeferned Morton Williams.
I’ve never been, isn’t there one out on Long Island though?
Yes there is one on Long Island, right by the Brooklyn Navy Yard!
Last June, when Wegmans opened their store in Norwalk, CT, there were lots of ‘suits’ from the home office running around that first week. I cornered one of them and asked, “So, will Wegmans ever open on the UWS?” I’m paraphrasing his answer. ‘Probably a 50-50% chance. Since we signed the lease, it has become apparent that the West 60s and 70s have too many grocery options. The latest plan on the table is to ONLY open a prepared foods location. But not sure that will pay for itself as long as we are burdened with that large space,.’ Remember this was 9 months ago that I was told this.
Asking the hard questions- thanks for the info!!
They just figured out that the west 60s and 70s has other supermarkets?
Yeah…if you consider Trader Joes and Morton Williams options. I don’t. Packaged crap zoo and overpriced convenience store. The former BBB location is ideally spaced between Fairway and Whole Foods and frankly, as a Fairway shopper, if Wegmans was better and competitively priced (does not mean cheaper…just competitive for value) I would switch.
Morton Williams has plenty of non-packaged food.
Also, Brooklyn Fare.
I love BF. Not MW!!
That’s a sensible analysis. With Fairway, Trader Joe’s, Morton Williams and Whole Foods within 15 blocks of each other, that location would be challenging to maximize. Plus HMart and Gourmet Garage.
Don’t forget my beloved Pioneer! Quirky and refreshing. Confusing and comforting. A true gem that seems out of place yet undoubtedly belongs. Long live the windows papered with weekly specials!
And no infernal self checkout machines at Pioneer. Not great for vegetables and fruit, but if you pay attention cheaper than Fairway for many items.
Some healthy competition to benefit shoppers would not be a bad thing.
It’s actually an apt analysis. There’s Morton Williams and Whole Foods just a few blocks away.
Thank you for the info. Though I don’t agree with these “suits”, I’m sure it would have been well-patronized.
Shoplifting and security issues are the major reasons.
No shoplifting if the store isn’t open.
Fearmongering.
Realitymongering.
What’s your source for this information, please?
Observation and common sense. (Shoplifting and security issues )
Please do not forget the city owned grocery stores that will be opened.
How’s Daniel Pantaleo doing these days?
Why would any large retail food store want to open in the current environment in NYC. (city owned grocery stores coming soon)
Food retail has low margins and it is challenging to absorb the shoplifting costs.
Between all the hoops/regulations they probably have to jump through, they are cutting their losses sooner rather than later,
City owned grocery stores are not coming to the West 60s or West 70s.
You seem to know a lot about shoplifting.
Thank you for the compliment.
It is pretty easy to spot if you are paying attention.
Drywall was being delivered to the old Bed Bath/Food Emporium space on W90/Broadway this morning. Any idea what’s going in there?
I believe It’s going to be an ENT office.
Putting this comment here won’t make a difference, but what I’d really like to see on the UWS is a branch of Tashkent. We’ve got West Side Market, two Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Key, Hashi, H-Mart, Gristedes, Zabar’s, Fairwa,and lots more. Tashkent would be a great change, quite different food! No salad bars or sushi or kimchi or overpriced ordinary groceries. Instead interesting Russian and Central Asian food, that would be great!
That sounds incredible.
I’ve never heard of Tashkent (though I was in Tashkent decades ago). Is there a store in nyc
I continue to remain focused on Citarella.
I hope NYC can catch up with the laws related to biometric data collection and storage.
Wegman’s is one of the worst.
https://nypost.com/2026/01/05/us-news/nyc-wegmans-storing-shoppers-facial-scans-biometric-data-to-id-customers-boost-security/
It would be your right to NOT shop there. I think it’s creepy—and you may have your data sold to some of the worst people—but if a private business is upfront about it and thinks it is a good business decision for loss prevention and security, then what is the issue?
Yes, a little detail about Wegmans I’ve brought up before around here to little apparent impact, as if UWSiders are downright eager to submit.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-wegmans-is-storing-biometric-data-on-shoppers-eyes-voices-and-faces (“NYC Wegmans is storing biometric data on shoppers’ eyes, voices and faces”)
Good work trying to track this down, but the short answer to the lede is “NO”.
They were probably spooked off by Morton Williams. (obviously a differnt price point, but still too close for the market.)
UWS NO LONGER LISTED AS “coming soon” https://www.wegmans.com/about-us/future-store-locations
I look forward to finding it listed in the “coming never” category.
Buffalo born 50-year UWSer here. Still regularly visit Western New York where Wegmans is loved and dominates.
Believe me, we don’t have a grocery store here anywhere near as good as a Wegmans. Not in quality goods and pricing.
How did we blow this?
Yours was the best q/statement.
Agree! I split my time between Western NY and UWS. Wegmans would kick Morton Williams butt. And even though it’s only 10 blocks away, I avoid the chaos of Whole Foods. Fairway has gone downhill. And Trader Joe’s is great, but it’s nothing like Wegmans in terms of product variety.
Vote better candidates who enforce laws.
Not difficult.
Maybe they encountered some issues with the space. If I remember correctly, that street level entrance with elevators and escalators area was tight. And Wegmans is shopping cart kinda place. Those shopping cart escalators are always breaking down. And there are like 6 escalates there. right?
They had nice elevators at B B and B
And it has that weird mezzanine area that is only accessible by a stairway or elevator where the sheets and towels were for a while.
There needs to be something good that’s stays open until midnight, besides the fairway
Wegmans needs a new spokesperson. That statement has exceeded its sell-by date.
I do not live on the UWS (but love The Rag and the UWS as a frequent visitor to NYC). There are several Wegmans in my area, and honestly, I do not see what is special about this chain. They offer a few loss leaders every week so they can tout “low prices,” but I find them more expensive than WF. The majority of meats are prepackaged.
Wegman’s was my go-to store when I lived in Pennsylvania. No one who has ever shopped there would set foot in Morton’s if they had the choice.
The folks at Wegman’s are telling us they can’t multi-task.
You’d think a company of that size would have more than one project manager who could oversee opening a new store.
How about an Aldi in the empty stores on Amsterdam and 100?
Wegman’s is another Whole Foods with different labeling. To be honest, I prefer Whole Foods over Wegman’s. At least Whole Foods give you occasional deals. Wegman’s asks you to sign up for their frequent customer program but give you little to nothing in return for their high prices.
Don’t forget my beloved Pioneer! Quirky and refreshing. Confusing and comforting. A true gem that seems out of place yet undoubtedly belongs. Long live the windows papered with weekly specials!
We need Tashkent!!!
Well maybe we won’t support Wegmans if & when they open, since UWS doesn’t seem to be a priority!! Frankly the space is a blight on the Lincoln Center area.
Sounds like they got a better deal downtown.
Hi All: Just to PLEASE get off the food subject: this neighborhood is a shopping wasteland. We have NO adequate general merchandise store like BED BATH BEYOND. We have NO store on the level of GRACIOUS HOME. We have NO CENTURY 21 and these locations are STILL EMPTY. Who is making a profit on block after block of empty useless space? Can anyone answer that? The UWS used to be an interesting neighborhood with little and big shops and eclectic choices. It’s been over for a while except for possibly Columbus Ave. But the UES IS MUCH MORE appealing and walkable. Too bad….
I used to be able to get everything I needed without leaving the neighborhood. Not anymore. It’s a wasteland as far as general merchandise stores.
And no Lowe’s (closed:( or Home Depot!
I wish Trader Joe’s would open at store at the old PC Richards space at 86th and Broadway.
How about they open a stew leonards on the UWS??? That would be sooooo coooool. Or bring back balduccis or dean and deluca!!!!
Never going to happen.
I can’t help but wonder are Wegman’s paying rent on this lease while it remains empty. Doesn[t seem like a good way to run a business.
Wegmans website does not list any New York City locations as “future store locations”. I think it did last year. But not today.
In other words-“Fuhgeddaboudit”
Astor place wegmans is not helpful to UWS residents especially with instacart jacking up like bag fees, service charges and regulatory fees with every order. I have cancelled my membership with that app and I have stopped shopping while my membership is active. So hopefully wegmans will soon be coming to uws.
We have a Wegmans in NJ and the pharmacy there is great
Someone needs to explain to Wegman’s that the stores are nowhere near each other and service different parts of the City.